Fender vs. Lakland

I've been GASsing for a Fender P AV62, but for about the same price (new), I could get a Lakland Glaub or Dunn Skyline. I'm very much a Fender guy, but tend to end up putting Fralin pups in my instruments - they're stock in the Lakland. I've heard great things about both instruments. Opinions?

Fenders are standard basen on theiur history and good sound. Laklands IMO ar ebetter in every way. My $700 Lakland 55-01 put $2000 basses to shame. I think and I've read and heard that Lkaland are better constructed and better sounding. I cna just sya to try both if oyu can. And do a search here in TB and you'll find great info on both brands. Personally i'd recommend the Glaub, if you already like the Fralins you can't go wrong. I'm soon to get a Skyline DJ4 and want a Skyline Glaub too. The Skyline quality is unreal. You really wouldn't beleive they are that inexpensive if nobosy told you.

Try both brands if you can. Fender is the standard sound for a reason, they are very good, but their construction os hit and miss. Laklands are more consistent. Of course everything is mi opinion. Feel free to disagree.

The Lakeland will have far more solid construction, and higher end pickups and electronics for the money you pay. I don't personally own one, but have played on them and heard them recorded, and can defiantely attest to the sound and feel of Lakeland basses. You can find a really nice Fender if you look hard enough, but you'll get just as nice, or most likely a better Lakeland with almost any one you play on.

I've got 4 fenders, a Lakland and a Sadowsky. I love all of my basses, but for the $$$ the Skylines are pretty incredible. There's something great about a vintage P if you can find a good one though, and if your back can take it.
If you're looking at new basses, I'd take a Dunn bass over every fender P except for a custom shop. MHO and $.02 only. Skylines go through a rigourous inspection before they head out and Fenders are just so inconsistant.

I'm a Pbass addict (both Skylines and Fenders). I love Glaubs and would typically prefer them over a standard Fender simply for the great fretwork. But as nice as Sykylines are, the RI Fenders are very good and are consistenly lighter than a Skyline. That would be a tough decision but I would probably opt for the 62 RI in this case.

I have a Skyline 44-02. It´s a super bass. You have to pay twice as much if you wan´t a Fender that is in the same league. There are MANY good fenders out there, but if the Skyline fits your needs, you can´t go wrong!!!

I just ordered a lakland duck dunn yesterday!i already have a glaub and a jazz,the suits at fender can only wonder in amazement at how it use to be!!the boys in t-shirts & jeans at lakland are doing it everyday

I prefer Fender's vintage fingerboard radius of 7.25" over Lakland's 10" radius. I also prefer the classic looks of the Fender. But for the money, I'd go with a Japanese Fender '62 Precision, mine's as good as any MIA I've ever played at less than half the cost of the AV62RI.

If you're comparing the American Vintage series against the Skylines, I'm imagining you like the vintage details--nitro finish, neck profile, fretboard radius, etc. If that is the case, I would go with the Fender AV. Skylines are very nice, but IMO the Fender AVs feel much better.

The only thing that would make me think about it is if you really know you're going to replace the pups with the Fralins anyway.... Nah, I'd still go with the Fender.

For little more than the price of an AV Fender plus Fralins you could get a nice second hand US Lakland. This would be my choice, especially a Bob Glaub for that 60's P sound. Also, Laklands have the through body option which, IMHO, really enhances the sound of these basses.

I own both Fender and Lakland basses.
My 1966 fender is just the best P-bass I've ever owned.
But my Lakland Glaub is almost just as good.
For a new bass, it nails the vintage sound and feel.
Plus, I dig the fralin pickups, and lakland bridge.
Considering, my 1966 is valued at around $5500.00.
The Lakland is a great deal.